A SHOP worker is to tie the knot after she received a surprise proposal from a knight in shining armour.

David Merriman went to the Gateshead MetroCentre dressed as a knight to propose to his girlfriend, Deb Nicholls, 34, who works at fashion store Next.

Mr Merriman, 31, an assistant manager at Morrisons, in Doxford Park, Sunderland, said: "I just wanted to do something a little bit different and I knew this would take Deb by surprise.

"The knight in shining armour idea was something that I thought would be a little fun too. If I could have done, I would have ridden up to her on a horse, but it was not practical."

Miss Nicholls, 34, who has been with Mr Merriman for five years, said yes on the spot.

To celebrate, MetroCentre managers gave them flowers, champagne and £50 in gift vouchers.